History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 127

Author: Brown, Robert C., ed; Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Meagher, John, jt. comp; Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899, jt. comp
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1658

USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania > Part 127

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BENJAMIN S. RANKIN, son of David C. and Nancy Rankin, was born near Karns City. December 9, 1842, grew to manhood with his parents and received a common school education. On October 2, 1861, when but eighteen years of age, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volun- teers. He served in the Army of the Potomac, and participated in the Penin- sular campaign, and in the battles of Williamsburg, the Seven Days fight before Richmond, on the Chickahominy, at Malvern Hill, etc. In September, 1863, under general orders from the war department, he enlisted in Company L, Fourth United States Artillery, was stationed at Suffolk and Yorktown on garrison duty,

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

and served with Grant at Cold Harbor and the siege of Petersburg. He was honorably discharged on November 13. 1564, and returned to his home. Mr. Rankin was married May 20, Is6s. to Melinda Wick, a daughter of William and Sarah Wick, born in Concord township, May 12, 1549. They settled in Fair- view township, and removed to their present farm near the village of Fairview in 1878. Six children have been the fruits of this marriage, as follows : Charles HI. ; Minnie AA., deceased : an infant daughter, deceased ; Sadie N. ; Amy E., and Gurdon C. The family are connected with the English Lutheran church. Mr. Rankin is a stanch Republican, and has filled various township offices. He is a member of Karns City Lodge. I. O. O. F., also of Derrick Lodge, K. of P .. and is connected with the G. A. R.

WILLIAM RANKIN. eldest son of David Rankin. was born in what is now Fairview township, Butler county, Februay 14, 1808. His father died when William was five years old, and he was reared by David McKibbin of Clarion county. Ile there married Sarah Levier, and returned to Butler county, settling in Allegheny township. Five children were born to this union. viz .: David M .. a Presbyterian minister : Daniel L .. of Butler ; Rosa S., wife of G. W. Aggas ; Elizabeth 1., wife of S. H. Brown, and Josiah R., a Methodist Episcopal preacher. The parents spent the latter years of their lives in Fairview township. In early life they were Presbyterians, but died members of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Rankin died August IS. 18 2, and her husband. September 26. 18 3.

DANIEL L. RANKIN, second son of William and Sarah Rankin, was born in Allegheny township. Butler county. September 11, 1539, was reared a farmer and obtained a common school education. He remained on the homestead farm until August, 1861, when he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Third Penn- sylvania Volunteers, and served until January, 1864. He then veteranized. re-en- listing in the same company. and served until mustered out, July 13. 1865, with the rank of orderly sergeant. lle participated in the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Seven Days Fight before Richmond, and Kingston, White Hall and Goldsboro. Besides the battles already mentioned, he took part in many lesser engagements and skirmishes. lle was taken prisoner at Plymouth, North Caro- lina, April 20, 1864. and was held in rebel prisons until December 10. following. when he was paroled. He came home on furlough, and was married January 3. 1865, to Maggie Rider a daughter of Michael Rider. They are the parents of five children, viz. : Olive L., wife of Sherman Sanderson ; William J. : Elnora A. ; Sadie N., and Herbert E. Mr. Rankin and wife are members of the Pres- byterian church. He is an ardent Republican, has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and was a candidate for county treasurer in 1893, but did not receive the nomination.

JAMES GIBSON, a native of Ireland, with his brothers, Alexander, John and Hugh, came from Westmoreland county to Butler county in 1797, where they had selected lands the previous near, in what is now Parker township. Their father. Levi Gibson, came with them. James married Rebecca Knox, a native of Scotland, and after some years residence in Parker township, they removed to Armstrong county, where both died. They were the parents of eleven children, as follows : Elizabeth, who married Robert Campbell ; Levi ; Sidney, who mar-

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ried Samuel Campbell ; George; Esther, who became the wife of William Hutchinson ; Samuel; John; Eleanor, who married E. Wally ; Houston ; Rebecca, who married Solomon Gibbs, and James.

LEVI GIBSON, eldest son of James and Rebecca Gibson, was born in Parker township, Butler county, September 20, 1804, and was reared beneath the par- ental roof. In 1832 he married Mary Ann Campbell, born February 20, 1809, and they took up their residence in a log cabin in Parker township. They resided in this township until their death, which occurred in 1867 and 1862, respectively. They were the parents of eight children, viz. : Rebecca J., wife of Sloan Cochran ; Lewis C. ; William ; Nancy, wife of Alexander Wally ; James H. ; Andrew C. ; Mary Ann, and Levi B., the two last mentioned being dead.

WILLIAM GIBSON, third child of Levi and Mary Ann Gibson, was born upon the homestead farm in Parker township, April 14, 1836, and there grew to manhood. He learned the carpenter's trade in early life, and followed it for some years. On November 4, 1858. he married Martha. a daughter of James Wilson, and located upon a farm now within the borough limits of Petrolia, which he operated and also worked at his trade. In September, 1864. he enlisted in Company L, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served in the Army of the Potomac under Sheridan, taking part in the Shenandoah campaign. He was assigned to duty in the quartermaster's department and remained there until July, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. Mrs. Gibson died January 16, 1886, the mother of the following children : Alfred L., deceased ; James A. ; William A .; Anna M. J., deceased; Ira C .: George G., deceased. and Sarah May. Mr. Gibson was again married June 14, 1857, to Nancy MeGarvey, a daughter of William McGarvey. Her father was born in Donegal county, Ire- land, July 17, 1800, came to the United States in IS30. and located in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. In 1535 he married Margaret Smith, who was born in Butler county, May 23, 1505, to which union were born six children. Mrs. McGarvey died December 19, 1876, and her husband, March 10, 1885. Mr. Gib- son resided in Petrolia until ISSS. In 1952 he was appointed postmaster of the borough, and served for four years, and was also burgess and justice of the peace for many years. In IsSS he took up his residence in Fairview borough, and in 1891 he was appointed oil inspector for Butler county. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, of Fairview. He is connected with J. G. Campbell Post, G. A. R., of Petrolia. of which he has been treasurer for many years.

WILLIAM FLEMING, a native of Armagh county, Ireland, was married in his native land to Elizabeth Bartley, a native of Tyrone county. In 1795, with his wife and two children, he immigrated to Pennsylvania, and settled in Allegheny county, on Pine run. In ISOS he removed with his family to Butler county, entering a tract of government land on Bear Creek, near where the village of Martinsburg now stands. They were among the first settlers of that locality. Mr. Fleming and wife were members of the Covenanter church, in which body he filled the office of elder. In 1834 he severed his connection with that organ- ization and became a citizen of the United States. He was a prosperous farmer,

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and at one time owned 600 acres of land in Parker township. He died in that township, July 19, 1547, in his eighty-fifth year. His widow survived him until May 15, 1851, dying at the age of seventy-two years. They were the parents of the following children : Edward ; Ilugh ; John ; William D. ; Thomas ; Robert ; Johanna, who married James Jamison ; Jane, who married Charles Roberts ; Eleanor, who became the wife of William Bartley; Jowanna, wife of John Campbell, and Mary, who died unmarried.

EDWARD FLEMING, eldest son of William and Elizabeth Fleming, was born in Ireland, October S, 1796, came to America with his parents in infancy, and grew to manhood in Butler county, amidst the dangers and privations of pioneer life. At the age of sixteen years he went to Pittsburg, where he learned the bricklayer's trade, returning to Butler county in 1820. He was married that year to Margaret Kelly, a daughter of Archibald and Margaret Kelly, early settlers of Parker township, where she was born, June 17, 1803. Mr. Fleming and wife resided in Parker township until their death, which occurred July 7, 1847, and May 28, 1874, respectively. Both were members of the United Presbyterian church, of Fairview. They were the parents of the following children : Eliza- beth, deceased ; Margaret, wife of Andrew Graham, of Concord township; Will- iam A., of Petrolia ; Martha J., wife of William Danbenspeck, of Parker town- ship ; Thomas S., of the same township ; Mary, wife of S. S. Reep, of Fairview township; Johanna, deceased wife of John Crawford ; Caroline, wife of Lewis Gibson, of Parker township ; John E., of Oakland township, and Archibald, who died in infancy.

WILLIAM A. FLEMING, eldest son of Edward and Margaret Fleming, was born in Parker township, June 23, 1826. He was reared upon his father's farm, and attended the subscription school of the period for a few weeks during the winter seasons. At the age of seventeen years he commenced life for himself as a farm laborer, at ten dollars per month. When twenty-one years of age he returned home to assist his widowed mother in carrying on the homestead farm, and remained with her for the ensuing three years. On December 28, 1848, he married Nancy Jane Graham, of Parker township, born in Venango county, August 25, 1880, and a daughter of John Graham. They settled upon a farm in Parker township. but later removed to Maple Furnace, where he spent eleven years in the employ of M. S. Adams. He afterwards located at Brady's Bend, and filled the office of market house clerk for six years. At the expiration of this time he returned to his farm in Butler county, removed to Petrolia in 1879, and has since resided in that borough. Mrs. Fleming died December 6, 1892. She was a consistent member of the Merhodist Episcopal church for fifty-four years, having joined that organization when eight years of age. She was the mother of six children, viz. : Margaret J., deceased ; Edward G., of Petrolia : Flora M., wife of S. G. Coffin, of Bradford ; and John W., Clara J., and George II., all of whom died in early youth. In 1890 Mr. Fleming was elected justice of the peace, and in 1891 was chosen burgess, which position he still occupies. Ile is connected with Oil City Lodge, F. & AA. M., and is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, in which he has served as class leader forty-four years.

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SAMUEL GRAHAM Was a native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and a veteran of the Revolution, who settled near Carlisle at the close of the war. The ancestry came from Ireland about 1700, and settled in Cumberland county. Samuel was reared in that county, and in 1797 came to Butler county and purchased a tract of 200 acres in what is now Allegheny township, upon which he built a small cabin. The following year he brought his family to his new home in the forest of Butler county, where they began pioneer life. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died at Meadville, in 1813, while in the service. His wife was Nancy Jane Graham, and they were the parents of the following children : Nancy, who married John Forquer ; Rebecca : John; James ; Betsey, who became the wife of John Brandon ; Andrew, and Bailey.

JOHN GRAHAM, eldest son of Samuel Graham, was born in Allegheny town- ship. Butler county, May 1, 1800. After he grew to manhood he located at Franklin, Pennsylvania, where he was manager of an iron furnace, later removed to Parker township, Butler county, where he operated the iron mines for Maple furnace. He died in Parker township in 1856. He married Mary Hill, who survived him thirty-four years, dying in 1890. Their family consisted of the fol- lowing children : Nancy J., deceased wife of William AA. Fleming ; Phobe A., wife of George Mc Murray ; George H., of Fairview ; Florinda, wife of Edward Morgan : Mary, deceased wife of James Rankin ; Ruth, wife of Thomas Als- worth ; Adelaide, who married Reed Campbell, and for her second husband, William Herron, and Maggie, wife of Thomas Bartley, of West Virginia.

GEORGE H. GRAHAM, only son of John and Mary Graham, was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1833, and returned with his parents to Butler county at the age of eleven years. He obtained his primary education in the common schools, and afterwards attended Allegheny College, at Meadville. He then engaged in teaching, and taught at different periods from 1549 until 1870, being principal of the West Sunbury Academy for three years. He took up mine engineering, and is a practical mine engineer, as well as a surveyor, He has been engaged in mining and oil producing for some twenty years, but has made sur- veying his principal business. Politically, he is an ardent Democrat, was elected to the legislature in 1878, and has served as a jury commissioner of Butler county. Ile has filled the office of school director in Fairview borough for fifteen years, and that of burgess for five years. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G. One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was commissioned as regimental quartermaster, and later detailed as brigade quartermaster on General Paul's staff. He was at the battles of Antietam, South Mountain, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and was discharged from the service in 1868, at the close of his term of enlistment. Mr. Graham married Ella J. Wilson, a daughter of James Wilson, of Fairview township, and has the following children : Clara, wife of J. C. McKee : Anna, a teacher in the schools of New Whatcome. Washington ; John II .; James W., and Ada. The family are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and Mr. Graham is connected with the J. G. Campbell Post, G. A. R., of Petrolia. Mr. Graham was initiated in ISSO a member of Argyle Lodge, Number 540, F, & A. M., and was W. M. and secretary of the lodge for four years each.

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JAMES JAMESON was a son of John Jameson, who came from eastern Penn- sylvania to Butler county at an early day, and entered a tract of land in Parker township. The family are of Scotch-Irish extraction, the ancestors coming to America prior to the Revolution. John Jameson was among the first settlers of Parker township, and reared a family of several sons and daughters, James being one of the number. The latter grew to maturity upon his father's farm, and married Jane Smith, a daughter of James Smith, also a pioneer of Parker town- ship. Mrs. Jameson died upon the homestead in 1835, aged thirty-nine years. Her husband survived many years, and died at the home of his son Thomas, in Fairview township. in 1863, aged seventy-two. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom grew to maturity, viz. : Elizabeth, and John B., both deceased ; Ann, deceased wife of William Carothers ; James, deceased ; Thomas ; Margaret, wife of A. H. Carothers; Rachel, wife of James A. Patterson, and Hugh, deceased.

THOMAS JAMESON, son of James and Jane Jameson, was born in Parker township, Butler county. July 31, 1827. His mother died when he was seven years old, and he was taken into the home of Mrs. Margaret Cochran, of Venango township, with whom he lived until sixteen years of age, then returned to Parker township and worked by the day or month at whatever he could find to do. He subsequently went to Cherry township, and there engaged at the carpenter's trade, which he followed some years. In December, 1>19, he married Polly Smith, of Cherry township, who died in 1851. In 1552 he was married to Nancy J. McElvain, a daughter of George and Mary A. McElvain, of the same town- ship. They located on their present farm in Fairview township in March, 1859. Mr. Jameson purchased seventy-six acres, and their first residence was a small plank house, which has since been replaced by a large and commodious structure. Many other improvements have been made. and the farm increased to 240 acres. They are the parents of eleven children as follows : Almira, deceased; Sarah J., wife of J. Il. Chatham ; George M., of Pittsburg ; William B., a practicing physician of Philadelphia : Ella, deceased : M. Alice; Alvin J., deceased : John S. ; Emma Z. : Flora J., and Fred 11. Mr. Jameson and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church. of Fairview. He is an ardent Republican, takes a commendable interest in public affairs, and has served in the various township offices, and three years as a jury commissioner. Mr. Jameson is one of the substanial, representative farmers of Fairview township.

JOHN SUTTON was born in the year 1800, and was a son of Joseph and Sarah Sutton, natives of New Jersey, who came to Butler county at an early day and settled in what is now Concord township, where both resided down to their death. John was reared amidst pioneer surroundings, and endured the hardships and trials of that period. He married Mary Sutton, a daughter of Platt and Elizabeth Sutton, and settled upon a tract of land in what is now Concord town- ship, where he resided for many years. He died in Parker township about Es60, and his wife at the home of her son, John, in Oil City, some years later. To them were born eight children, as follows: Joseph, deceased ; Jeremiah, who resides in Parker township : Jonathan D., deceased : Eliza J., deceased wife of Joseph Rumbaugh : James J., of Fairview township : John, of Parker township;

Thomas Jameson

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Sarah Nancy, wife of Robert Morrow, of Warren county, and Mary, wife of David Montgomery, of Venango county.

JAMES J. SUTTON, son of John and Mary Sutton, was born in Concord township, Butler county, January IS, 1834. His boyhood days were passed upon his father's farm, and he obtained a limited education in the log school house of his district, which he attended for a few months in the winter seasons. When about ten years of age he removed with his parents to Armstrong county, lived there about nine years, and then returned to Butler county, where he attained his majority. On January 18, 1859, he married Harriet, a daughter of Matthew and Sarah Brown, born in Fairview township, March 11, 1837. Matthew Brown was a son of John Brown, a native of Ireland, who settled in what is now Fairview township at an early day. In 1861 Mr. Sutton located at Buena Vista, where he has since resided. In September, 1864, he enlisted in Company B. Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Ilis company was assigned to service as a part of the First Division, Ninth Army Corps, of the Army of the Potomac. Ile served until the close of the war, was with his regiment in the grand review at Washington, and was honorably discharged in June, 1865. He returned to his home, and in 1870 was appointed the first postmaster of Peachville, serving in that capacity until 1888, since which time he has lived a retired life at Buena Vista. Ile owns a valuable farm of eighty-four acres in Fairview township, and is interested in oil producing. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and has always taken an active interest in political matters. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton are members of Zion Lutheran church, in which body he has served as deacon and elder. They are the parents of one daughter, Leni Luemma, wife of W. D. Dart, of Buena Vista.

GEORGE KING, one of the well known older citizens of Fairview township, was born in Armstrong county, May 3. 1820, son of Jonathan and Elizabeth King. His father was a native of Westmoreland county, came to Armstrong county with his parents, who settled at Brady's Bend, there married and after- wards served one term as sheriff of that county. At the age of eleven years George was bound out to a family for his board and clothing until his seventeenth year. He then worked by the month as a farm hand, receiving his board and clothes and eighteen dollars in cash for his first season's work. Thus he laid the foundation of an industry and economy which served him well in after year -. On November 14, 1845, he married Magdalena Kamerer. a daughter of David and Catherine Kamerer, a native of Armstrong county, born May 24, 1831. They immediately settled upon the farm where they now reside, which was then com- paratively unimproved, taking up their abode in a little log cabin surrounded by forest trees. Of the eight children born to them, seven grew to maturity, viz. : John II. ; Daniel S. ; Catherine \., wife of George Hiles: Elizabeth, deceased wife of Louis Kieffer ; Jared D. ; Margaret, wife of William Corbett. and Aaron A. Mr. King and wife are members of Oak Grove German Reformed church, and in politics, he was originally a Whig and afterwards a Republican.

DANIEL S. KING, second son of George and Magdalena King, was born in Fairview township, Butler county. March 31, 1-52. At the age of sixteen years he went to Brady's Bend, and learned the butcher's trade with Joseph Hertweck.

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who afterwards became his father-in-law, with whom he remained four years. In 1878 he came to Butler county, and in partnership with his brother. John H., engaged in the butchering business. He later became interested in the oil indus- try as a pumper, subsequently as a producer, and has now a good production. Mr. King was married November 9, 1880, to Annie Hertweck, a native of But- ler. Iler father, Joseph Hertweck, was born in Germany, October 27. 1833. immigrated to the United States, and October 28, 1854, was married at Butler to Philomina Geiser, also a native of Germany. They resided in Butler some years, thence removed to Brady's Bend, where Mr. Hertweck died September 12, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. King have had the following children : Charles Syl- vester ; Joseph George. deceased ; Catherine C. ; Cora Maude ; Dora Ellen ; Will- iam John, deceased, and Rose Emma, deceased. Mr. King is an active Republi- can, and he is connected with Millerstown Lodge, K. of P.

JOHN HI. KING, eldest son of George and Magdalena King, was born in Fairview township, Butler county, January 21, 1850, and remained with his par- ents helping them to clear and improve the farm until he attained his majority. He then went to East Brady, and followed the bricklayer's trade four years. In 1878 he engaged in the butchering and meat business with his brother, Daniel S., and later embarked in the oil industry, as a pumper and producer, to which he still devotes his attention. On August 9, 1883, he married Maggie J., a daughter of Leonard and Christina Kaylor, of Armstrong county, where she was born October 28, 1863. Two children have been born to this union, one of whom is living, Lillie May. Mr. King is a stanch Republican, and is connected with Derrick Lodge, K. of P., at Karns City.

JOHN ELLENBERGER, a native of Armstrong county, married Elizabeth Fair, and resided for many years in his native county. He afterwards removed to Butler county, settling on a farm in Fairview township, upon which he resided down to his death, in 1881, aged eighty-one years. His widow died on the old homestead in Armstrong county, in 1891, aged eighty-nine years. They reared a family of seven sons and two daughters, of whom the following survive : Simon, of Armstrong county ; William ; John ; Jacob, and Charles, all residents of Fairview township, and Enos, of Oakland township.

WILLIAM ELLENBERGER, son of John and Elizabeth Ellenberger, was born on the homestead in Armstrong county. December 25, IS26. His boy- hood days were spent beneath the parental roof, and his education was obtained in the pioneer log school house of the neighborhood. In 1:49 Mr. Ellenberger came to Butler county and located in Fairview township. On February 11, 1850. he married Harriet Reep, a native of Butler county, and a daughter of Henry and Fannie Reep. Her father came from eastern Pennsylvania to Butler county at an early day, and married here, his wife being a native of Armstrong county. Ile was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died upon his farm, one mile north of Fairview, September 9, 1859. His widow died August 19. 1871. in her seventy- sixth year. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ellenberger located on a farm in Fairview township. The land was comparatively unimproved, their first home being a little log cabin in which they lived for three years. They then removed to another farm near by, where they resided until 1892, and then located

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in the village of Fairview. They are members of St. Peter's Reformed church. of Fairview, in which he fills the office of elder. Ten children have been born to them, as follows : Mary E., wife of Samuel T. Dodd ; Jemima, wife of W. H. Reisinger; William J .; Henry Isaiah, deceased ; Margaret E., wife of J. B. Bickey ; Lucinda C., wife of William C. Hart ; Fannie J., wife of J. Eberhardt ; Adela Laura, wife of H. W. Hays; Chambers Austin. and Simon P., deceased. Though formerly a Republican, Mr. Ellenberger is now a Prohibitionist. 1Ie has served as overseer of the poor and is a member of the borough council. By industry and economy he has accumulated a handsome competence, and is recog- nized as one of the substantial citizens of the community.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 127

Author: Brown, Robert C., ed; Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Meagher, John, jt. comp; Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899, jt. comp Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago : R. C. Brown Number of Pages: 1658

Author: Brown, Robert C., ed; Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Meagher, John, jt. comp; Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899, jt. comp
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1658